Certainly agree that sweeping generalizations aren’t very useful in a discussion like this. But unfortunately that seems to be what the internet tends to encourage, no? Even the OP admited his question was impossible to answer, yet on and on we go. Assuming the OP has the skills to get a high paying career, there is an objective answer, from the standpoint of being able to FIRE as soon as possible. Go to where the high paying jobs are, which for tech might be NYC, SV, Seattle, and Boston, and keep your housing costs under control, ex. commute instead of living in Manhattan, or get roommates, or if you have a SO, split the cost of a 1bdr with them. Then, once you get close to hitting your number, you can move to Kansas City and buy your 500...